Weekly Update 5.7.2015

TEA Information

2015–2016 Indirect Cost Rates

The Division of Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting has published indirect cost rates for open-enrollment charter schools and independent school districts. These rates are effective July1, 2015, through June 30, 2016.

You may find your indirect cost rates in either of two places:

  • The Indirect Cost Rates page of the agency website lists indirect cost rates for all open-enrollment charter schools and independent school districts.
  • The GFFC Reports and Data Collections secure application includes a 2015-2016 Indirect Cost Rate Notification Letter for each open-enrollment charter school and independent school district. Follow these steps to access your letter:
  1. Log on to TEASE or TEAL.
  2. Select “GFFC Reports and Data Collections.”
  3. Select “Indirect Cost Rate Notification Letter” from the Report Title drop-down menu.
  4. Select “2015–2016” from the School Year drop-down menu.

For Further Information

If you have questions about the issuance of indirect cost rates, please email the Division of Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting at .

If you have questions about claiming indirect costs, please submit a request to the Division of Grants Administration through the TEA Help Desk.

2015 Texas Autism Research Conference

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Texas Autism Research & Resource Center (TARRC) will host the 5th annual Texas Autism Research Conference, “New Insights: Research to Practice” on June 18-19, 2015. Leaders in the field of autism research will present cutting edge research during workshops and presentations. Participants must register by June 12, 2015. For more information and to register, visit the Texas Autism Research Conference website.

The 2015 Texas Autism Research Conference will be held:

June 18-19, 2015

Crowne Plaza Hotel

6121 N. IH-35

Austin, TX 78752

For questions, compliments or complaints call the DARS Inquiries Line: 1-800-628-5115

Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Skills Training Institute

Join this three-day institute designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills required to implement the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Participants will learn of the myths and facts of ABA and leave the series with knowledge of the methods to increase, decrease, and refine behavior. Those who attend will also receive 2 CDs: Autism and ABA: A How-To Handbook for Teachers and Instructional Objectives Handbook. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.

Dates: July 28, 29, & 30, 2015 Session ID: 1143431 Instructors: Beverly Braman, Ph.D. BCBA-D; Susan Catlett, Ph.D. BCBA-D Time: 9:00 – 4:00 Location: Crowne Plaza Brookhollow Contact Information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801

The Journey from Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to Intervention

Join this workshop to actively participate in an in-depth examination of the intervention process….the journey from functional behavior assessment to intervention development. During this two-day training, participants will 1) learn and practice a variety of data collection methods, 2) practice completing and interpreting a functional behavior assessment, 3) identify replacement behaviors, 4) write behavior goals, and 5) select research-based interventions. Participants are also encouraged to bring examples of behavior goals they have written and interventions they have developed to use as examples and receive feedback.

**This session was originally scheduled for March 23 & 24, 2015. It has been rescheduled to the date below.**

Session ID: 1077423 Dates: September 22 & 23, 2015 Time: 9:00 – 4:00 Fee: $90 Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713 744 6801

Due to the overwhelming response and popularity of the topic for the webinar titled Does the Data Indicate Dyslexia?, registration for the online webinar has been closed. Region 4 is offering an open-enrollment session to view the webinar via live streaming at the Region 4 Education Service Center. If you want to attend the live streaming of the webinar, please register for the session below.

Special Education Webinar - Does the Data Indicate Dyslexia?

Presented by: Virginia Gonzalez, M.Ed., LDT, CALT - State Dyslexia Consultant

Dyslexia, a core deficit in word recognition and spelling, occurs in students with very different profiles. Evaluations depend on much more than standard scores. We will discuss the importance of the student’s history as well as interpreting the student’s error patterns in both informal and formal data.

Session ID: 1152772

Date: May 12, 2015Time: 10:00AM-12:00PM

Fee: $No Charge

Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562

Using the WISC-V for LD Identification: Case Study Approach

Attend this workshop to learn how to utilize the new WISC-V in a processing approach for the identification of learning disabilities. Presenters will use real-life case studies and scenarios to illustrate LD identification. The KTEA-3 and WIAT-III will be used to provide information on achievement. The application of WISC-V scores in CHC Cross-battery Assessment will be discussed.

Session ID: 1075482

Date: May 14, 2015Time: 9:00AM-4:00PM

Fee: $45

Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562

Summer Evaluation Institute 2015

Attend this institute to acquire the latest information regarding student evaluation processes and linking the assessment and data to recommendations and interventions for a comprehensive and individual evaluation.
Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Keynote Speakers include:

  • Dr. Dawn Flanagan and Dr. Jennifer Mascola on Selecting and Tailoring Interventions

Featured Speakers include:

  • Dr. Jon Lasser on Assessing When Behaviors Are Challenging and Linking Behavior Assessment to Interventions
  • Dr. Gail Cheramie on Reviewing Evaluations with Parents and Staff
  • Dr. Shanon Gibson on Understanding Preschoolers and Autism
  • Paula Maddox Roalson on Legal Updates related to assessment and report writing
  • Dr. Loretta Allen on Cultural Diversity related to assessment
  • Dr. Jennifer Schroeder on Ethics related to assessment
  • Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. and Gayla Jordan Lutz, M.A., CCC-SLP on Functional Evaluation

Session ID: 973046

Date: June 2-3, 2015Time: 9:00AM-4:00PM

Fee: $125

Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562